Takehito Miyatake draws inspiration from contemporary waka poet Utsubo Kubota. Waka is a form of classic Japanese literature that traditionally reflects the human heart’s response to nature. Miyatake’s work reveals his passion for his homeland that is still recovering from the devastating Tohoku earthquake and resulting tsunami of 2011. His use of color and light celebrates the mystical beauty of Japan’s landscape. Miyatake was the Grand Prize Winner of the second annual Nikkei National Geographic Photo Prize.

“A small, low bridge over the Shimanto River, known as the last crystal clear river in Japan. In the early summer twilight, genji botaru fireflies fly exuberantly over the river surface. With paddy fields along the river, the sight represents an image of a countryside where people and nature coexist”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“Japan is called a volcanic archipelago, yet Sakurajima is the only home to mountains that erupt almost daily. The Lava-spewing craters are the physical link of this world and the earth’s inaccessible interior. All of the earth is born from this fire and turns to rock”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“The hotaru ika, or “firefly squid”, lives 2,000 feet down under the water. In spring, they come up near the surface to spawn, and some of them even wash up on the beaches. A school of squid glowing like jewels looks like a blue band trimming the water's edge”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“A flight of hime botaru fireflies (Hotaria parvula), or “princess fireflies”, in the woods flicker together in a warm, orange hued light. Locals call them “golden fireflies”. Although each one is only about 5mm in size, the flight can create a spectacle that seems to come from a fairy tale world”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“A light snow was falling intermittently on a winter night when I saw numerous blue strips of lightning flash as if to interweave with the scarlet flames. I was entranced by the performance of primary colors that evoked thoughts of the creation of earth”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“In the late afternoon after a rain, genji botaru fireflies (luciola cruciate) dance above the swollen creek. The rocks darkened by the rain reflecting the blue sky, and the yellow-green ribbon of the glow from the fireflies, make a beautiful contrast”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“Sakurajima volcano is as isolated as Mt. Fuji, making it hard to grasp the scale, as there are no nearby mountains for comparison. However, looking from the opposite shore, the height of the mountain topping 3,600 feet, the scale of the pillar of fire spewing from its top, and the beauty of the eruption reflected on the water bring fresh amazement”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“It is said that after having found partners, fireflies return to the sky before the first light. Looking up into the sky from the vantage point of the creek, through the fluttering fireflies, I saw the Milky Way glittering above the woods with the green lights dancing in the foreground”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)

“I was at the southernmost cape of mainland Japan as the shades of night were falling. Due to the approaching typhoon, the waves hitting the rocks splashed high and glowed white in the twilight”. – Takehito Miyatake. (Photo by Takehito Miyatake/Steven Kasher Gallery)